Digital Video Structural Support System

ABSTRACT

A digital video ramp assembly incorporates process-formed structural LED tiles with modular components that join in a system of scalable structural LED tiles forming a complete LED display structure with integrated LED embedded tiles with interlocking and inter-trans-positioning features sometimes requiring additional structural framing.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit as a Continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/507,008, filed Jul. 9, 2019, which claims thebenefit as a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/954,566, filedApr. 16, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,343,045, issued Jul. 9, 2019, whichclaims the benefit as a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/003,799, filed Jan. 21, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,745, issuedApr. 17, 2018, which claims benefit of Provisional Application No.62/106,210, filed Jan. 21, 2015 the entire contents of the foregoing arehereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, under 35U.S.C. § 120. The applicant(s) hereby rescind any disclaimer of claimscope in the parent application(s) or the prosecution history thereofand advise the USPTO that the claims in this application may be broaderthan any claim in the parent application(s).

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate generally to digital display systems, and, morespecifically, to techniques for incorporating digital displays intoramps.

BACKGROUND

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could bepursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previouslyconceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it shouldnot be assumed that any of the approaches described in this sectionqualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in thissection.

Ramp structures maybe used for many purposes. One of the more popularuses is in skating, such as a skating ramp. Other applications includemotocross and bicycle motocross (BMX) competitions and exhibitions.Current ramp systems more often utilize a wood joist frame orfunctionally similar support structure and plywood or similar sheetingfor side bracing. These ramps also incorporate standardized radii andsurface materials. Ramps at skate parks often are constructed of wood orformed in concrete. Some exhibition ramps may have images projected ontothe ramp using overhead projectors. The images are typically staticlogos or videos that are limited in size due to distortions caused bythe contours of the ramp.

One of the major challenges with projection systems is that the imageprojected onto the ramp becomes distorted, out of focus, or out ofproportion, due to the varying contours of the ramp. This is because thedistance between the lens of the projector and the ramp surface cannotbe consistent when the ramp incorporates any surface features such assimple or complex contours. Further, the dimensions of the ramp surfacevary with each ramp and are not consistent with any standard projectorviewing area. To compensate for the sizing inconsistencies, projectorsare typically limited in their projection area and the resulting imagesare smaller than the actual ramp surface area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a digital video ramp, according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 2a-2h illustrate a digital video ramp assembly, according to anembodiment;

FIGS. 3a-3b illustrate a barreling wave digital video ramp assembly,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a digital video ramp assembly with structuralconnecting LED embedded process formed tiles, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a half pipe digital video ramp assembly, according toan embodiment;

FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate a complex contour digital video ramp assembly,according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 7a-7c illustrate a complex contour digital video ramp assembly,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a motion detection system for a digital video rampassembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a motion detection system for a digital video rampassembly, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is block diagram of a computer system upon which embodiments ofthe invention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,that the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention.

Embodiments are described herein according to the following outline:

1.0. General Overview

2.0. Structural Overview

3.0. Motion Tracking

4.0. Signal Transmission and Control

5.0. Implementation Mechanism-Hardware Overview

6.0. Extensions and Alternatives

1.0. General Overview

Approaches, techniques, and mechanisms are disclosed for Digital VideoRamp. A method and computer apparatus are disclosed for a digital videoramp for skating, motocross, bicycle motocross (BMX) competitions andexhibition, entertainment, and advertising. The digital video ramp is anew ruggedized ramp system that will defy all senses of reality. Imaginea motorcyclist racing up the side of a ramp that looks like craggy oldwood planks that spark and catch on fire. This is one of an infinitenumber of impossible ramp surface effects that the digital video rampcan create. The display mapped surfaces of the digital video ramp willact “chameleon like” in changing the skin of the ramp fixtures either asa standalone digital video ramp or several digital video ramps arrangedand connected together in varying sizes and configurations. For someapplications sections of the ramp may invert (face inward) such asbarreled or coiled interior surfaces.

Advertising is another feature of the digital video ramp. Advertisementsmay be displayed on the surface of the digital video ramp during, forexample, exhibitions or competitions. Typical ramp sizes are alreadylarge and well suited for advertising.

Gaming is yet another application of the digital video ramp. Players mayride along the digital video ramp and sensors placed in the vicinity ofthe ramp detect a player's position on the ramp and the displaycontroller can change the scene being displayed around the player toreflect certain stages of the game.

The digital video ramp provides an alternative to conventionalexhibition ramp structures in providing a dynamic, interactive videoplatform for exhibition, sporting events, entertainment, andadvertising.

In an embodiment, the digital video ramp is a durable ramp assembly thatutilizes clear ramp surface finishes with an LED video substrate. Theclear ramp surfaces are the contact points for the skate boards,motorcycles, bicycles, etc., and provide an easily replaceableprotective surface over the LED video substrate.

In an embodiment, a digital video ramp system includes a plurality ofLED tiles, LED channels, LED embedded structural tile component andrenewable enveloping layer of polycarbonate for ramp surfaces.

In other aspects, the invention encompasses computer apparatuses andcomputer-readable media configured to carry out the foregoingtechniques.

Examples of related display systems are described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/277,008, entitled “MODULAR MULTI-PANEL DIGITALDISPLAY SYSTEM”, filed on 13 May 2014, and which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety for all purposes.

2.0. Structural Overview

The construction of the digital video ramp may take the form of variousscalable substructure assemblies. For example, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate fourexamples of digital video ramp assemblies that are modular and uniform.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, an electronics package inconjunction with the digital video ramp 100 delivers video, sound,motion activation, lighting and interconnected features which will allowseveral ramps to be organized into an interactive video gamingenvironment.

In an embodiment, a polycarbonate ramp surface 104 is mounted over auniform system of mechanical stand off hardware 102 which penetrates LEDtiles 105 and is mounted to a structural ramp frame 107.

Referring also to FIGS. 2a-2h , the digital video ramp assembly 100includes clear polycarbonate or other transparent suitable materialsurfaces (e.g., structural glass, acrylic, etc.) 104 overlaid ontostructural LED linear channels of varying length which mount to varyingform structural box framing. For example, a protective clear facingpolycarbonate can be ⅜″ Makrolon® polycarbonate, where a sheet is halfthe weight and 200 times stronger than glass.

In an embodiment, a digital video ramp assembly incorporatesprocess-formed structural LED tiles with modular components that join ina system of scalable structural LED tiles forming a complete LED displaystructure with integrated LED embedded tiles with interlocking andinter-trans-positioning features sometimes requiring additionalstructural framing. LED tiles may be substituted with any type ofdisplay such as organic LED displays, high-performance backlight LCDdisplays, etc., that may be selected based on factors such as cost,application, power demands, etc.

In an embodiment, a digital video ramp assembly includes an integratedpower supply, wiring channels, and digital image management software.

In an embodiment, a digital video ramp assembly includes a uniformpolycarbonate ramp envelope which can be adapted to ramp systems as anadditional layer of scratch and mar resistance with low cost renewablefeature with lower cost predictive maintenance cycles.

The digital video ramp can be similar in stature to standard ramps,adhering to standard dimensions, radii, and slope. The digital videoramp structure is stable and can accommodate LED display systems withinterlocking features and durable or protective clear ramp surfacematerials.

Referring to FIGS. 3a-3b , in an embodiment, a digital video ramp iscomprised of polycarbonate over structural LED display channels(“blades”) over varying form structural box framing 301. The ramp maytake on any form such as a barreling wave structure 302.

Referring to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, a digital video ramp may includestructural, LED embedded process formed tiles.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment, a digital video ramp includes aformed polycarbonate layer shaped to fit over LED video ramp systems.

Referring to FIGS. 6a-6c and 7a-7c , embodiments include multi-surfaceramp applications where there can be a large number of simple andcomplex contours on the ramp surfaces.

Each ramp assembly can incorporate integrated power supply wiringchannels and digital image management software.

3.0. Motion Tracking

Referring to FIG. 8-9, in some embodiments, there are many methods ofadaptable off the shelf interactive components suitable for operation ofdigital video ramps controlled by user interaction in video game play.Methods can include RFID x, y, and z coordinate; skateboard, bicycle,motorcycle path recognition, etc.

Some approaches may include:

-   -   1. Ultrasonic sensors: Linear array of narrow beam long throw        ultrasonic sensors, alongside the ramp following the contour.        These can sit up above the glass, but still be low enough to        detect the skateboard wheel. Horizontal position on the ramp may        be read by the strength of bounce back, vertical position        tracked by what sensor is being hit. Resolution may be based on        beam width. Testing for spacing can be important as bounce back        from the wheels may ping other sensors.    -   2. Photo resistors: A matrix of photo resistors can be mounted        under glass and above an LED display under the ramp surface. As        light source is cut off from the diode it reports back to the        video server. They can have a latency of approximately 10        milliseconds. Accuracy of the overlaid video stream can be based        on the resolution of the matrix.    -   3. IMU Sensors: On board or body inertial measurement unit        sensors. These sensors only record a relative position based on        how far the sensor has moved since it was stationary. It can        track how far it has moved in the X,Y and Z axis, but to track        video over the display the skater would have to begin from the        same origin point each time. This system may be useful for an        instant replay, where the movements become translated into        vectors to be displayed on screen.    -   4. Active RF or LE Bluetooth Transmitters/Receivers This can be        useful for instore smartphone experiences.    -   5. IR Sensors: This would be good for indoor tracking

There are many types of interactive components suitable for operation ofdigital video ramps controlled by user interaction in video game play.Methods would include RFID x, y, and z coordinate; skateboard, bicycle,motorcycle path recognition. Yet another method is motion sensing infrared technology. One embodiment using interactive motion tracking isreactive real time video described as follows:

The Digital Video Ramp interactive element is a reactive real time videofeature that tracks the movement of a skater on the ramp to triggeroverlaid video content on the ramp's surface display. As illustrated inthe functional block diagram in FIGS. 8-9, cameras placed overhead canfeed to a processor. The video processor can crop the video input tocapture the ramp surface and detect the skater's movement and location(as seen in FIG. 9) by comparing the camera to the video being played onthe ramp. When the video processor detects the movement captured by thecamera the video processor can provide the location tracking coordinatesto the video server, these coordinates can be updated, for example, at aminimum of 30 times per second. The server can play the overlay video,locating it based on the tracking location, and live compositing theentire video, main source and video overlay to the LED panels sourceequipment which feeds the LED drivers to play video to the LED displayof the ramp's surface. The video will overlay on the existing playbackand synchronize with the skater's movement in real time, tracking withthe skater and following the orientation of the skater's movementvector. This additional layer of video will have the ability to bealpha-channel suppressed to allow for transparency in the overlay.

The control and tracking software may have minimal lag (less than 1/15thof a second) to allow the overlay video nearly instant response to theexistence of a trackable object.

4.0. Signal Transmission and Control

Multi-line distribution of signal data comes from a central processingunit and supplied to an input signal of serial video and control data.Data is re-transmitted to LED digital video ramp display module(s)assembly. Similarly, data transmits the received serial video andcontrol data signal to an input of data and to data input connector ofLED digital video ramp display module(s) assembly. The data transmitsthe received serial video and control data to data input connector LEDdigital ramp display module(s) assembly. The data in signal isdistributed to all LED digital ramp digital display module(s) assembly.The serial video and control data can be transferred from one LED modulethrough ramp chassis assembly to the next LED digital display. In eachcase, the serial video and control data is re-transmitted by the controlboard of each LED digital display module.

A conventional power supply with an AC-to-DC converter and a voltageregulator to the LED digital video ramp display module is needed.Conventional DC cooling fans capable of providing a volume rate ofairflow in order to maintain an operating temperature for LED digitalramp display module(s) can also be utilized. Insulation sheets for thepower supply of a suitable material, such as mica may also be used.

The electrically connected elements of the LED digital ramp displaycontrol system may include: the RGB signal from the processing unitfeeds a pre-processor; a pre-processor control bus output feeds a bankswitch controller; a pre-processor control bus output feeds the CCDcontroller; a control bus output feeds bank switches that are connectedto the row lines of the LED digital ramp display module(s); and a pulsewidth modulation control bus output feeds current sources that areconnected to the column lines of the LED array via active switchdevices, such as MOSFET switches or transistors; an analog voltage busoutput of the LED digital ramp array feeds A/D converter; a digitalvoltage bus output converter feeds module interface; and a temperaturedata bus output feeds module interface. The LED digital video rampdisplay processing control bus output feeds module interface. Diagnosticinformation is available to processing unit via the data bus module.

In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor and is configuredto perform any of the foregoing methods.

In an embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium,storing software instructions, which when executed by one or moreprocessors cause performance of any of the foregoing methods.

Note that, although separate embodiments are discussed herein, anycombination of embodiments and/or partial embodiments discussed hereinmay be combined to form further embodiments.

5.0. Implementation Mechanism—Hardware Overview

According to one embodiment, the techniques described herein areimplemented by one or more special-purpose computing devices. Thespecial-purpose computing devices may be desktop computer systems,portable computer systems, handheld devices, smartphones, media devices,gaming consoles, networking devices, or any other device thatincorporates hard-wired and/or program logic to implement thetechniques. The special-purpose computing devices may be hard-wired toperform the techniques, or may include digital electronic devices suchas one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are persistently programmed toperform the techniques, or may include one or more general purposehardware processors programmed to perform the techniques pursuant toprogram instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or acombination. Such special-purpose computing devices may also combinecustom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming toaccomplish the techniques.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 1000utilized in implementing the above-described techniques, according to anembodiment. Computer system 1000 may be, for example, a desktopcomputing device, laptop computing device, tablet, smartphone, serverappliance, computing mainframe, multimedia device, handheld device,networking apparatus, or any other suitable device.

Computer system 1000 includes one or more busses 1002 or othercommunication mechanism for communicating information, and one or morehardware processors 1004 coupled with busses 1002 for processinginformation. Hardware processors 1004 may be, for example, a generalpurpose microprocessor. Busses 1002 may include various internal and/orexternal components, including, without limitation, internal processoror memory busses, a Serial ATA bus, a PCI Express bus, a UniversalSerial Bus, a HyperTransport bus, an Infiniband bus, and/or any othersuitable wired or wireless communication channel.

Computer system 1000 also includes a main memory 1006, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM) or other dynamic or volatile storage device, coupledto bus 1002 for storing information and instructions to be executed byprocessor 1004. Main memory 1006 also may be used for storing temporaryvariables or other intermediate information during execution ofinstructions to be executed by processor 1004. Such instructions, whenstored in non-transitory storage media accessible to processor 1004,render computer system 1000 into a special-purpose machine that iscustomized to perform the operations specified in the instructions.

Computer system 1000 further includes one or more read only memories(ROM) 1008 or other static storage devices coupled to bus 1002 forstoring static information and instructions for processor 1004. One ormore storage devices 1010, such as a solid-state drive (SSD), magneticdisk, optical disk, or other suitable non-volatile storage device, isprovided and coupled to bus 1002 for storing information andinstructions.

Computer system 1000 may be coupled via bus 1002 to one or more displays1012 for presenting information to a computer user. For instance,computer system 1000 may be connected via an High-Definition MultimediaInterface (HDMI) cable or other suitable cabling to a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD) monitor, and/or via a wireless connection such aspeer-to-peer Wi-Fi Direct connection to a Light-Emitting Diode (LED)television. Other examples of suitable types of displays 1012 mayinclude, without limitation, plasma display devices, projectors, cathoderay tube (CRT) monitors, electronic paper, virtual reality headsets,braille terminal, and/or any other suitable device for outputtinginformation to a computer user. In an embodiment, any suitable type ofoutput device, such as, for instance, an audio speaker or printer, maybe utilized instead of a display 1012.

In an embodiment, output to display 1012 may be accelerated by one ormore graphics processing unit (GPUs) in computer system 1000. A GPU maybe, for example, a highly parallelized, multi-core floating pointprocessing unit highly optimized to perform computing operations relatedto the display of graphics data, 3D data, and/or multimedia. In additionto computing image and/or video data directly for output to display1012, a GPU may also be used to render imagery or other video dataoff-screen, and read that data back into a program for off-screen imageprocessing with very high performance. Various other computing tasks maybe off-loaded from the processor 1004 to the GPU.

One or more input devices 1014 are coupled to bus 1002 for communicatinginformation and command selections to processor 1004. One example of aninput device 1014 is a keyboard, including alphanumeric and other keys.Another type of user input device 1014 is cursor control 1016, such as amouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating directioninformation and command selections to processor 1004 and for controllingcursor movement on display 1012. This input device typically has twodegrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis(e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane. Yetother examples of suitable input devices 1014 include a touch-screenpanel affixed to a display 1012, cameras, microphones, accelerometers,motion detectors, and/or other sensors. In an embodiment, anetwork-based input device 1014 may be utilized. In such an embodiment,user input and/or other information or commands may be relayed viarouters and/or switches on a Local Area Network (LAN) or other suitableshared network, or via a peer-to-peer network, from the input device1014 to a network link 1020 on the computer system 1000.

A computer system 1000 may implement techniques described herein usingcustomized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/orprogram logic which in combination with the computer system causes orprograms computer system 1000 to be a special-purpose machine. Accordingto one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by computersystem 1000 in response to processor 1004 executing one or moresequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 1006.Such instructions may be read into main memory 1006 from another storagemedium, such as storage device 1010. Execution of the sequences ofinstructions contained in main memory 1006 causes processor 1004 toperform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions.

The term “storage media” as used herein refers to any non-transitorymedia that store data and/or instructions that cause a machine tooperate in a specific fashion. Such storage media may comprisenon-volatile media and/or volatile media. Non-volatile media includes,for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 1010.Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 1006. Commonforms of storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, or any other magneticdata storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical data storage medium,any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge.

Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction withtransmission media. Transmission media participates in transferringinformation between storage media. For example, transmission mediaincludes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including thewires that comprise bus 1002. Transmission media can also take the formof acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-waveand infra-red data communications.

Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequencesof one or more instructions to processor 1004 for execution. Forexample, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk orsolid state drive of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and use a modem to send theinstructions over a network, such as a cable network or cellularnetwork, as modulated signals. A modem local to computer system 1000 canreceive the data on the network and demodulate the signal to decode thetransmitted instructions. Appropriate circuitry can then place the dataon bus 1002. Bus 1002 carries the data to main memory 1006, from whichprocessor 1004 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructionsreceived by main memory 1006 may optionally be stored on storage device1010 either before or after execution by processor 1004.

A computer system 1000 may also include, in an embodiment, one or morecommunication interfaces 1018 coupled to bus 1002. A communicationinterface 1018 provides a data communication coupling, typicallytwo-way, to a network link 1020 that is connected to a local network1022. For example, a communication interface 1018 may be an integratedservices digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or amodem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding typeof telephone line. As another example, the one or more communicationinterfaces 1018 may include a local area network (LAN) card to provide adata communication connection to a compatible LAN. As yet anotherexample, the one or more communication interfaces 1018 may include awireless network interface controller, such as a 802.11-basedcontroller, Bluetooth controller, Long Term Evolution (LTE) modem,and/or other types of wireless interfaces. In any such implementation,communication interface 1018 sends and receives electrical,electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streamsrepresenting various types of information.

Network link 1020 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 1020 mayprovide a connection through local network 1022 to a host computer 1024or to data equipment operated by a Service Provider 1026. ServiceProvider 1026, which may for example be an Internet Service Provider(ISP), in turn provides data communication services through a wide areanetwork, such as the world wide packet data communication network nowcommonly referred to as the “Internet” 1028. Local network 1022 andInternet 1028 both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signalsthat carry digital data streams. The signals through the variousnetworks and the signals on network link 1020 and through communicationinterface 1018, which carry the digital data to and from computer system1000, are example forms of transmission media.

In an embodiment, computer system 1000 can send messages and receivedata, including program code and/or other types of instructions, throughthe network(s), network link 1020, and communication interface 1018. Inthe Internet example, a server 1030 might transmit a requested code foran application program through Internet 1028, ISP 1026, local network1022 and communication interface 1018. The received code may be executedby processor 1004 as it is received, and/or stored in storage device1010, or other non-volatile storage for later execution. As anotherexample, information received via a network link 1020 may be interpretedand/or processed by a software component of the computer system 1000,such as a web browser, application, or server, which in turn issuesinstructions based thereon to a processor 1004, possibly via anoperating system and/or other intermediate layers of softwarecomponents.

In an embodiment, some or all of the systems described herein may be orcomprise server computer systems, including one or more computer systems1000 that collectively implement various components of the system as aset of server-side processes. The server computer systems may includeweb server, application server, database server, and/or otherconventional server components that certain above-described componentsutilize to provide the described functionality. The server computersystems may receive network-based communications comprising input datafrom any of a variety of sources, including without limitationuser-operated client computing devices such as desktop computers,tablets, or smartphones, remote sensing devices, and/or other servercomputer systems.

In an embodiment, certain server components may be implemented in fullor in part using “cloud”-based components that are coupled to thesystems by one or more networks, such as the Internet. The cloud-basedcomponents may expose interfaces by which they provide processing,storage, software, and/or other resources to other components of thesystems. In an embodiment, the cloud-based components may be implementedby third-party entities, on behalf of another entity for whom thecomponents are deployed. In other embodiments, however, the describedsystems may be implemented entirely by computer systems owned andoperated by a single entity.

In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor and is configuredto perform any of the foregoing methods. In an embodiment, anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing softwareinstructions, which when executed by one or more processors causeperformance of any of the foregoing methods.

6.0. Extensions and Alternatives

In the drawings, the various components are depicted as beingcommunicatively coupled to various other components by arrows. Thesearrows illustrate only certain examples of information flows between thecomponents. Neither the direction of the arrows nor the lack of arrowlines between certain components should be interpreted as indicating theexistence or absence of communication between the certain componentsthemselves. Indeed, each component may feature a suitable communicationinterface by which the component may become communicatively coupled toother components as needed to accomplish any of the functions describedherein.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicatorof what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be theinvention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in thespecific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequentcorrection. In this regard, although specific claim dependencies are setout in the claims of this application, it is to be noted that thefeatures of the dependent claims of this application may be combined asappropriate with the features of other dependent claims and with thefeatures of the independent claims of this application, and not merelyaccording to the specific dependencies recited in the set of claims.Moreover, although separate embodiments are discussed herein, anycombination of embodiments and/or partial embodiments discussed hereinmay be combined to form further embodiments.

Any definitions expressly set forth herein for terms contained in suchclaims shall govern the meaning of such terms as used in the claims.Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attributethat is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of suchclaim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A modular digital video structural tile, comprising: interlockingfeatures configured for assembly with other modular digital videostructural tiles; a digital signal input configured to receive digitalvideo signals; a video signal processor configured to process thedigital video signals; one or more digital displays configured todisplay the processed digital video signals; a protective materialsurface applied over a video substrate of each of the one or moredigital displays; wherein the protective material surface is configuredto act as a contact point for users.
 2. The modular digital videostructural tile of claim 1, wherein the protective material surface is adurable surface.
 3. The modular digital video structural tile of claim1, further comprising: a support structure supporting the one or moredigital displays.
 4. The modular digital video structural tile of claim1, further comprising: one or more sensors, the one of more sensorsconfigured to detect movement across a plurality of modular digitalvideo structural tiles; wherein a video processing device selects avideo content to send to a set of modular digital video structural tilesamong the plurality of modular digital video structural tiles based onone or more signals from the one or more sensors.
 5. The modular digitalvideo structural tile of claim 4, wherein the one or more sensorsinclude any combination of: ultrasonic sensors, photo resistors,inertial measurement unit sensors, active RF Transmitters/Receivers, LEBluetooth Transmitters/Receivers, cameras, or IR sensors.
 6. The modulardigital video structural tile of claim 1, further comprising one or moresensors, the one of more sensors configured to detect movement across aplurality of modular digital video structural tiles; wherein the one ormore sensors include any combination of: ultrasonic sensors, photoresistors, inertial measurement unit sensors, active RFTransmitters/Receivers, LE Bluetooth Transmitters/Receivers, cameras, orIR sensors.
 7. The modular digital video structural tile of claim 1,wherein the one or more digital displays include any of: one or more LEDdisplays or one or more high-performance backlight LCD displays.
 8. Themodular digital video structural tile of claim 1, further comprising:one or more sensors, the one of more sensors configured to detectmovement across a plurality of modular digital video structural tiles;wherein a video processing device tracks movement of a user and selectsa scene, that reflects a certain stage of a video game, to send to a setof modular digital video structural tiles based on a movement vectorderived from one or more signals from the one or more sensors.
 9. Themodular digital video structural tile of claim 1, further comprising oneor more sensors, the one of more sensors configured to detect movementacross a plurality of modular digital video structural tiles; wherein avideo processing device tracks movement of a user and selects a videocontent to send to a set of modular digital video structural tiles basedon a movement vector derived from one or more signals from the one ormore sensors.
 10. The modular digital video structural tile of claim 1,wherein the protective material surface is contoured to match simplecontours.
 11. The modular digital video structural tile of claim 1,wherein the protective material surface is contoured to match complexcontours.
 12. The modular digital video structural tile of claim 1,wherein a plurality of modular digital video structural tiles areassembled to form an inverted display surface.